Expandable clothes rack

ABSTRACT

An expandable clothes rack, including a first vertical longitudinal wood member, having a plurality of spaced apertures; a plurality of parallel wood dowels, each dowel fixedly secured within one of the spaced apertures within the first vertical longitudinal wood member, such that the dowel extends outwardly on either side of the first vertical longitudinal wood member; and, a second vertical longitudinal wood member including a plurality of parallel spaced metal tubes fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from the second vertical longitudinal wood member, and operatively arranged to telescopingly engage the plurality of parallel wood dowels to form a ladder-like structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to clothes racks and, more particularly, to expandable clothes racks for storing and holding clothes, towels and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clothes racks and drying racks have been known for many years. U.S. Pat. No. 1,628,936 (Turner) discloses a drying rack that fits over a bathtub in an inverted “V” shape, for example. U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,020 (Steiner) discloses a vertically arranged telescoping clothes dryer structure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,749 (Crockett et al.) discloses an adjustable clothes rack in the form of a saw-horse. A similar design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,574 (Sexton). Yet another “saw-horse” type design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,342 (Vandelaar). U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,591 (Cooper) discloses a collapsible clothes rack. Another collapsible clothes drying rack is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0074858 (Thuma et al.) A folding collapsible clothes rack on casters is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,962 (Chen) and another caster-supported rack is disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0097628 (Blacknell).

Surprisingly, no one has apparently yet invented a clothes rack that resembles a ladder but with horizontally adjustable rungs to increase the capacity of the rack for use, and yet minimize size for storage. A longfelt need has existed for this type of clothes rack.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an expandable clothes rack, comprising a first vertical longitudinal wood member, having a plurality of spaced apertures therein; a plurality of parallel wood dowels, each dowel fixedly secured within one of the spaced apertures within the first vertical longitudinal wood member, such that the dowel extends outwardly on either side of the first vertical longitudinal wood member; and, a second vertical longitudinal wood member comprising a plurality of parallel spaced metal tubes fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from the second vertical longitudinal wood member, and operatively arranged to telescopingly engage the plurality of parallel wood dowels to form a ladder-like structure.

In another embodiment, the present invention comprises an expandable clothes rack, comprising a first vertical longitudinal member, having a plurality of spaced apertures therein; a plurality of parallel dowels, each dowel fixedly secured within one of the spaced apertures within the first vertical longitudinal member, such that the dowel extends outwardly on either side of the first vertical longitudinal member; and, a second vertical longitudinal member comprising a plurality of parallel spaced tubes fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from the second vertical longitudinal member, and operatively arranged to telescopingly engage the plurality of parallel dowels to form a ladder-like structure.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a clothes rack that resembles a ladder, but with expandable rungs, and with dowels extending outwardly from at least one of the vertical longitudinal members to use as extensions.

This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the clothes rack of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the clothes rack;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the clothes rack;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 1, except with the rungs of the rack in an expanded position;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a rear exploded perspective view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view identical to that of FIG. 9, which is a top view of the clothes rack shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the clothes rack, taken generally along line 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 a is an enlarged view of area “FIG. 16 a” shown in FIG. 15; and,

FIG. 16 b is a fragmentary left view of longitudinal member 11 shown in FIG. 16 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. The present invention is intended to include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

Adverting to FIG. 1, clothes rack 10 broadly comprises a first longitudinal member 11 having an inside surface 11 a and an outside surface 11 b, second longitudinal member 12 having an inside surface 12 a and an outside surface 12 b, first tube 13 a, second tube 14 a, third tube 15 a, fourth tube 16 a, first extension 13 d, second extension 14 d, third extension 15 d, and fourth extension 16 d. First longitudinal member 11 and second longitudinal member 12 are arranged parallel to one another with inside surface 11 a facing inside surface 12 a. First extension 13 d is a portion of first dowel 13 b which extends through an aperture in second longitudinal member 12 and protrudes from outside surface 12 b (shown in FIG. 8). Additionally, second extension 14 d, third extension 15 d, and fourth extension 16 d are extensions of their corresponding dowels which are second dowel 14 b, third dowel 15 b, and fourth dowel 16 b (shown in FIG. 8) and also protrude from outside surface 12 b of second longitudinal member 12. First extension 13 d, second extension 14 d, third extension 15 d, and fourth extension 16 d further comprise notches 13 n, 14 n, 15 n, and 16 n, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, notches 13 n, 14 n, 15 n, and 16 n are a rounded cut on each corresponding extension to secure objects thereon. It should be appreciated, however, that different notch types and securement means are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, notches 13 n, 14 n, 15 n, and 16 n can be hooks which protrude from extensions 13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and 16 d.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are a front and rear elevation view of clothes rack 10, respectively. As shown in the figures, in a preferred embodiment, first tube 13 a, second tube 14 a, third tube 15 a, and fourth tube 16 a are equidistant and parallel with respect to one another and are arranged perpendicularly to inside surface 11 a. In a preferred embodiment, first tube 13 a, second tube 14 a, third tube 15 a, and fourth tube 16 a, which are equidistant from one another, have the center of the tube span shifted towards one end of first longitudinal member 11 and second longitudinal member 12. This would allow for larger objects to be held from fourth tube 16 a without being contaminated by a potentially dirty surface which clothes rack 10 is supported on. It should be appreciated, however, that different arrangements and numbers of tubes are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, third tube 15 a could be closer to fourth tube 16 a than second tube 14 a is to first tube 13 a.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are a top and bottom view of clothes rack 10, respectively. As shown in the figures, first tube 13 a and first extension 13 d are co-linear. Additionally, fourth tube 16 a and fourth extension 16 d are co-linear. It is important to note that both second tube 14 a and second extension 14 d are co-linear and, third tube 15 a and third extension 15 d are co-linear (not shown).

FIG. 6 is a left side view of clothes rack 10 which shows outside surface 12 b along with first extension 13 d, second extension 14 d, third extension 15 d, and fourth extension 16 d extending from outside surface 12 b. In a preferred embodiment, first extension 13 d, second extension 14 d, third extension 15 d, and fourth extension 16 d have a circular cross section and a diameter which is less than the width of second longitudinal member 12 which would allow for the insertion of the extensions through apertures cut into second longitudinal member 12. It should be appreciated, however, that different cross sections of the tubes are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the tubes could have a rectangular cross section that slide into grooves cut into first longitudinal member 11 and second longitudinal member 12. The groove could also be cut from the edge of first longitudinal member 11 and second longitudinal member 12 instead of being a through bore which creates an aperture.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of clothes rack 10 which shows outside surface 11 b and threaded inserts 13 f, 14 f, 15 f, and 16 f. Threaded inserts 13 f, 14 f, 15 f, and 16 f, are positioned in counter bores 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, and 16 g which are operatively arranged on outside surface 11 b (shown in FIG. 15). The function of threaded inserts 13 f, 14 f, 15 f, and 16 f is to securely mount corresponding tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a to first longitudinal member 11 (shown in FIG. 16 a).

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of clothes rack 10 in an expanded position with dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b concentrically arranged within tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a, respectively. The concentric arrangement between dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b and tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a is a press fit to allow for expansion and compression of the distance between first longitudinal members 11 and second longitudinal member 12. In a preferred embodiment, the length of each dowel is substantially similar to the length of each tube allowing for the dowel to be completely inserted into the tube, minimizing the distance between first longitudinal member 11 and second longitudinal member 12 for storage while also maximizing the amount of space from which articles can be hung when clothes rack 10 is fully expanded. It should be appreciated, however, that different lengths for the tubes and dowels are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed.

FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 are a top view, bottom view, front view, and rear view of clothes rack 10 in an expanded position. As shown in the figures, the linear relationship is still present between tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a and extensions 13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and 16 d, with dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b being linear members also. As seen in FIG. 11, the width of clothes rack 10 in an expanded position is approximately double when compared to clothes rack 10 in a compressed position due to the concentric arrangement of dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b within tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b, first longitudinal member 11, and second longitudinal member 12 are manufactured from wood while tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a are manufactured from metal. It should be appreciated, however, that different materials for the manufacturing of the tubes, longitudinal members, and dowels are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, clothes rack 10 could be completely manufactured from a plastic which could perform the same sliding function that is accomplished between metal tubes and wooden dowels.

FIG. 13 is a rear exploded perspective view of clothes rack 10. Inserts 13 c, 14 c, 15 c, and 16 c are concentrically arranged within their corresponding tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a. The press fit that allows for the sliding motion between tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a and dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b is achieved by arranging inserts 13 c, 14 c, 15 c, and 16 c between the dowels and tubes. Inserts 13 c, 14 c, 15 c, and 16 c have a substantially similar cross section and dimensions to dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b in order to achieve a proper press fit. In a preferred embodiment, inserts 13 c, 14 c, 15 c, and 16 c are manufactured from a material with either a high friction surface or has capabilities to apply tension such as rubber or plastic. It should be appreciated, however, that different materials for the manufacturing of the inserts is possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. Screws 13 e, 14 e, 15 e, and 16 e secure tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a to first longitudinal member 11. Tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a engage with first longitudinal member 11 within counter bores 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, and 16 g as screws 13 e, 14 e, 15 e, and 16 e extend through counter bores 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, and 16 g and engage with threaded inserts 13 f, 14 f, 15 f, and 16 f, respectively (shown in FIG. 16 a).

FIG. 14 is top view of clothes rack 10 in an extended position displaying a cutting plane line 15-15. The cross section of clothes rack 10 taken along cutting plane line 15-15 is seen in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 shows the interaction of inserts 13 c, 14 c, 15 c, and 16 c between tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a and dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b. It is also seen that dowels 13 b, 14 b, 15 b, and 16 b extend through second longitudinal member 12 in order to form extensions 13 d, 14 d, 15 d, and 16 d on surface 12 b. Additionally, tubes 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a are shown as hollow members mounted to first longitudinal member 11 by screws 13 e, 14 e, 15 e, and 16 e, which are shown in more detail in FIG. 16 a.

FIG. 16 a is an enlarged cross sectional view of area “FIG. 16 a” shown in FIG. 15 of clothes rack 10. As shown by the figure, tube 13 a is arranged perpendicular to first longitudinal member 11. Screw 13 e is engaged with tube 13 a and arranged within counter bore 13 g to engage with threaded insert 13 f. Threaded insert 13 f comprises a cross section which will prevent rotation as screw 13 e is engaged with threaded insert 13 f within counter bore 13 g (shown in FIG. 16 b). Counter bore 13 g, threaded insert 13 f, and screw 13 e are designed to be flush with outside surface 11 b of first longitudinal member 11 while tube 13 a is secured to first longitudinal member 11. Even though it is not shown in an enlarged view, tubes 14 a, 15 a, and 16 a are secured to first longitudinal member 11 by similar means (shown in FIG. 15).

FIG. 16 b is a fragmentary left view of first longitudinal member 11 displaying threaded insert 13 f within counter bore 13 g. As shown in the figure, counter bore 13 g has a substantially similar cross section to threaded insert 13 f to prevent rotation of tube 13 a and screw 13 e while engaged with threaded insert 13 f. In a preferred embodiment, the cross section of both threaded insert 13 f and counter bore 13 g is a hex pattern, similar to a traditional nut. It should be appreciated, however, that different nuts with varying cross sections are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, a square nut can be used in place of threaded insert 13 f; as long as rotation of threaded insert 13 f is limited by the cross section of counter bore 13 g.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFENCES NUMBERS

-   11 first longitudinal member -   11 a inside surface -   11 b outside surface -   12 second longitudinal member -   12 a inside surface -   12 b outside surface -   13 a first tube -   13 b first dowel -   13 c insert -   13 d first extension -   13 e screw -   13 f threaded insert -   13 g counter bore -   13 n notch -   14 a second tube -   14 b second dowel -   14 c insert -   14 d second extension -   14 e screw -   14 f threaded insert -   14 g counter bore -   14 n notch -   15 a third tube -   15 b third dowel -   15 c insert -   15 d third extension -   15 e screw -   15 f threaded insert -   15 g counter bore -   15 n notch -   16 a fourth tube -   16 b fourth dowel -   16 c insert -   16 d fourth extension -   16 e screw -   16 f threaded inset -   16 g counter bore -   16 n notch 

1. An expandable clothes rack, comprising: a first vertical longitudinal wood member, having a plurality of spaced apertures therein; a plurality of parallel wood dowels, each said dowel fixedly secured within one of said spaced apertures within said first vertical longitudinal wood member, such that said dowel extends outwardly on either side of said first vertical longitudinal wood member; and, a second vertical longitudinal wood member comprising a plurality of parallel spaced metal tubes fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from said second vertical longitudinal wood member, and operatively arranged to telescopingly engage said plurality of parallel wood dowels to form a ladder-like structure, wherein each parallel wooden dowel corresponds with respective parallel spaced metal tube and at least a portion of each parallel wooden dowel is disposed within at least a portion of respective parallel spaced metal tube, said expandable clothes rack is operatively arranged to contract as said first and second vertical longitudinal wood members slide proximate to one another and expand as said first and second vertical longitudinal wood members slide distal to one another.
 2. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 1, wherein said parallel wooden dowels are equidistant from one another.
 3. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 1, wherein each of said parallel wooden dowels has a circular cross section.
 4. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 3, wherein each of said parallel spaced metal tubes has a cross section which is substantially similar to the cross section of each said parallel wooden dowels.
 5. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 1 wherein said outwardly extending dowel further comprises a notch, wherein said notch is operatively arranged to hold an object.
 6. An expandable clothes rack, comprising: a first vertical longitudinal member, having a plurality of spaced apertures therein; a plurality of parallel dowels, each said dowel fixedly secured within one of said spaced apertures within said first vertical longitudinal member, such that said dowel extends outwardly on either side of said first vertical longitudinal member; and, a second vertical longitudinal member comprising a plurality of parallel spaced tubes fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from said second vertical longitudinal member, and operatively arranged to telescopingly engage said plurality of parallel dowels to form a ladder-like structure, wherein each parallel dowel corresponds with respective parallel spaced tube and at least a portion of each parallel dowel is disposed within at least a portion of respective parallel spaced tube, said expandable clothes rack is operatively arranged to contract as said first and second vertical longitudinal members slide proximate to one another and expand as said first and second vertical longitudinal members slide distal to one another.
 7. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 6, wherein said parallel dowels are equidistant from one another.
 8. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 7, wherein said parallel dowels are wooden dowels.
 9. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 7, wherein each of said parallel dowels has a circular cross section.
 10. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 9, wherein each of said parallel spaced tubes has a cross section which is substantially similar to the cross section of each of said parallel dowels.
 11. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 9, wherein said parallel spaced tubes are metal tubes.
 12. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 6, wherein said first vertical longitudinal member is manufactured from wood.
 13. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 6, wherein said second vertical longitudinal member is manufactured from wood.
 14. The expandable clothes rack recited in claim 6 wherein said outwardly extending dowel further comprises a notch, wherein said notch is operatively arranged to hold an object. 